Connector

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a connector ( 2 ), such as a modular connector, comprising a first locking device ( 4 ) arranged at the connector body ( 6 ), which first locking device is elongated, whose one end ( 8 ) is fixedly arranged at the connector body and whose other end ( 10 ) is freely arranged at a distance from the connector body and at loading is resilient such that is can be moved (R) against the connector body and intended to be connected in engagement with a female connector intended for the connector, whereby the connector again is disconnectable by spring action of the first locking device inwards, that the connector ( 2 ) further comprises a second locking device ( 12 ), arranged to the connector body, comprising a movable locking pin ( 14 ), whereby the first locking device ( 4 ) can be firmly locked by displacement (F) of the locking pin ( 14 ) of the second locking device ( 12 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connector, such as a modularconnector, preferably intended for a network for telecommunication, datacommunication, or similar.

BACKGROUND

In the technical world of today, we are building more and more networksfor communication. Connectors are used in these networks, so calledmodular connectors of inter alia the type RJ45, RJ12 or RJ11, whichcomprises a resilient locking tongue that is arranged to one side of theconnector. The connector is intended to be introduced in a correspondingfemale connector that in general is fixed to an apparatus such as acomputer, a modem, a telephone unit or the similar. When the connectoris inserted in a female connector intended for a correspondingconnector, the locking tongue is connected in engagement with the femaleconnector. When the connector shall be disconnected from the femaleconnector, or introduced for engagement in the female connector, thelocking tongue is loaded in direction against the connector body wherebythe connector is disconnectable and connectable, respectively, by springaction of the locking tongue inwards.

These female connectors are often positioned such that anybody mayremove the connector from the female connector by deliberate, orunconscious action and then disconnect the communication in the network.This may lead to devastating consequences if the improper connector isremoved.

In patent document JP 2001118637 a solution is described where abuilt-in locking in a female connector firmly locks a modular connectorby a locking pin from underneath. This does not solve the abovementioned problem, since generally all female connectors already arefixedly mounted in finished apparatuses and the costs for insertinglocks in existing apparatuses would be considerable.

In another solution according to publication DE-U1-29819147, theexisting resilient locking tongue on a modular connector is used. Aplastic cover consisting of two parts is arranged around the connectorand prevents the locking tongue from being pushed down. However, thissolution provides a permanent locking, complicates the use since theparts of the plastic cover have to be taken apart at connection anddisconnection of the modular connector, which makes it difficult foreasy handling at assembly/disassembly for a authorized person. Use ofblunt tools, for example screwdriver or knife, to separate the parts ofthe plastic cover may involve risk for damages on the connectors or onthe apparatus at which the connector is plugged in.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to achieve a connector withlocking device that at least partially eliminates those drawbacks thatare associated with arrangements according to prior art. Yet an objectis to provide a connector with locking device that is designed such thatthey admits an easy use in connection/disconnection in an apparatus atthe same time as it makes it difficult to disassemble/assemble theconnector in the apparatus by unauthorized persons and minimizes therisk for damages on apparatuses and connectors at release of the lockingof the connector. Yet an object is to achieve a connector with lockingdevice that can be produced to a low cost.

These objects are achieved by a connector, such as a modular connector,according to the present invention as defined in claim 1, comprising afirst locking device arranged at the connector body, which first lockingdevice is elongated, whose one end is fixedly arranged at the connectorbody and whose other end is freely arranged at a distance from theconnector body and at loading is resilient such that is can be movedagainst the connector body and intended to be connected in engagementwith a female connector intended for the connector, whereby theconnector again is disconnectable by spring action of the first lockingdevice inwards, further that the connector comprises a second lockingdevice, arranged to the connector body, comprising a locking pin,movable in relation to the connector body, whereby the first lockingdevice can be firmly locked by displacement of the locking pin of thesecond locking device.

An advantage with this solution according to the present invention isthat deliberate or unconscious action by unauthorised persons to thetraditionally occurring resilient, elongated, locking device of theconnector can be prevented by the firmly locking with said secondlocking device. An authorised person can arrange these lockableconnectors in those contacts that are critical and preferably also lockthe connector such that no unauthorised or anyone by mistake hardly maybreak this connection. The solution according to the present inventionpermits also a cost efficient production. The opening and closing of thesecond locking device is provided without the need to break apart anyparts and minimises the risk for damages to apparatuses and contacts atthe release of the locking of the connector.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the secondlocking device may be designed such that it only can be opened andclosed by means of a specifically shaped tool, such that only anauthorised person, having the correct tool, easily can open the lockingand remove the connector.

The second locking device of the connector according to the presentinvention comprises preferably a holding device, fixed to the connector,for the locking pin in which the locking pin can be displaced by areciprocal motion in an opening in the holding device. The locking pincan be threaded in the holding device whereby the locking pin have to bemoved by screwing in the holding device, for example by means of aspecifically shaped tool that only fits to the head of the locking pin.

Alternatively, the locking pin can be arranged with snug fit or push fitin an opening in the holding device, whereby the locking pin ispermitted to glide by certain or little friction in the holding device.In that respect, a magnet, such as an electromagnet, may suitablycontrol the displacement of the locking pin in the opening in theholding device, that either is arranged at the opening or on a separatetool. According to an alternative embodiment, the displacement of thelocking pin can be controlled by means of electronically orpneumatically means of control.

The connector according to the present invention is suitably a modularconnector, preferably of the type RJ45, RJ12 or RJ11. The connector issuitably intended for a network for telecommunication, datacommunication, or similar.

By “locking pin” in this description is meant any elongated device suchas a rod, shaft, cotter, casing, screw, etc.

Additional advantages and features according to embodiments of theinvention is evident from the claims, and also from the followingdescription of the embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described more in detail inembodiments, with reference to accompanying drawings, without limitingthe interpretation of the invention thereto, where

FIG. 1A shows schematically in a perspective view a connector accordingto the present invention where a locking pin of a second locking deviceis arranged in a position that permits spring action of a resilientfirst locking device inwards,

FIG. 1B shows in a view right from the side the connector according toFIG. 1A,

FIG. 1C shows in a view right from above the connector according toFIGS. 1A and 1B,

FIG. 1D shows schematically in a perspective view the connectoraccording to FIG. 1A–C in a position where the locking pin of the secondlocking device is arranged to prevent spring action of a resilient firstlocking device inwards,

FIG. 1E shows in a view right from the side the connector and theposition of the locking pin according to FIG. 1D, and

FIG. 1F shows in a view right from above the connector the position ofthe locking pin according to FIG. 1F.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

A connector 2, in this case a modular connector, is shown in anembodiment of the present invention according to FIG. 1A–F. Theconnector 2 comprises a first locking device 4 arranged at the connectorbody 6. The first locking device 4 is elongated in a direction L (seeFIG. 1A) and resilient in a direction R (see FIG. 1B). One end 8 of thefirst locking device 4 is fixedly arranged at the connector body 6 andanother end 10 is freely arranged at a distance from the connector body6. Further, the connector 2 comprises a second locking device 12,arranged to the connector body, comprising a movable locking pin 14. Thesecond locking device 12 is thus integrated with the connector 2. Anelectric line (not shown), is connected to one short end 16 of theconnector 2, which is connected to sheet metal shield 18 (see FIGS. 1Aand 1D) at another short side 20 of the connector.

In that position of the locking pin 14, displaced in direction from theconnector 2, as shown in FIG. 1A–C, the resilient first locking device 4can, when pressured, be moved in direction R (se FIG. 1B) against theconnector body 6 whereby connection of the connector 2 in engagementwith a female connector (not shown) intended for the connector 2 ispossible. When the connector is completely inserted in the femaleconnector and the loading on the first locking device is released, thelocking device spring back to the position as shown in FIG. 1A–F, andprotruding portions at the one end 8 is brought into engagement with acorresponding recess of the female connector. Connector 2 is againdisconnectable, from the female connector, by spring action of the firstlocking device 4 inwards, by movement in direction R against theconnector body 6, whereby the connector can be pulled out from thefemale connector.

As shown in FIG. 1D–F, the first locking device 4 can be locked bydisplacement, in direction in against connector 2, of the locking pin 14of the second locking device 12. One end of the locking device 14 isthus placed in a position directly adjacent below the other end 10 ofthe first locking device. The movement F of the locking pin 14 maysuitably be carried out in a direction substantially parallel to a longside 21 of the connector body 6. However, it is possible to arrange thatmovement of the locking pin can be carried out in other directions, suchas parallel to the short sides 20.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second lockingdevice of the connector can preferably comprise a holding device 22 forthe locking pin 14, fixedly arranged to the connector, as shown in FIG.1A–F, in which the locking pin can be displaced in an opening 24 in theholding device. By that means, the holding device 22 can be astructure/built-up at the short side 16 of the connector 2 and a part ofthe long side 21 closest to the short side 16, whereby thestructure/built-up has a longitudinal extension in direction against andadjacent to the second end 10 of the first locking device 4. However, itmust be clear that the holding device 22 might have other shapes and canbe arranged at the connector by alternative ways than what is shown inthe embodiment according to FIG. 1A–F.

The locking pin 14 is shown in FIG. 1A–F provided with threads. However,the locking pin may alternatively be arranged with snug fit or push fitin the opening 24 of the holding device.

The protruding end of the locking pin 14 on the outside of the connectoris suitably adapted for cooperation with a tool (not shown). Forexample, the head 26 can be provided with a slot that matches one typeof screwdriver, hexagon wrench (Allen key) or similar tool.Alternatively the locking pin may at least partially, preferably in oneend that is arranged against the short side 16 of the connector, consistof or be provided with a magnetic material. In that respect, thedisplacement of the locking pin in the opening in the holding device canbe controlled by a magnet (not shown), such as an electromagnet, thateither is arranged at the opening or on separate tool.

1. A connector comprising a first locking device attached to a connectorbody, said first locking device including a first end fixedly attachedto said connector body and a second end extending a distance from saidconnector body, and said first locking device is resilient such thatsaid second end of said first locking device can be moved to an innerposition against said connector body for permitting said connector bodyto be engaged within a female connector adapted to receive saidconnector body and such that said second end must thereafter bedeflected toward said connector body for disconnection of said connectorbody from the female connector, and a second locking device attached tosaid connector body including a locking pin movable relative to saidconnector body and said second end of said first locking device, suchthat said first locking device can be selectively firmly locked in theouter position by displacement of said locking pin of said secondlocking device to prevent movement of said second end to inner position.2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein said second lockingdevice further includes a holding device in which said locking pin canbe displaced in an opening in said holding device.
 3. The connectoraccording to claim 2, wherein said locking pin is threaded in saidopening of said holding device.
 4. The connector according to claim 2,wherein said locking pin is arranged with snug fit or push fit in saidopening of said holding device.
 5. The connector according to claim 1,wherein said locking pin has an end at a short side of said connectorbody, and said end being of a configuration to cooperate with a toolhaving a cooperating engaging configuration.
 6. The connector accordingto claim 5, wherein said end of said locking pin is provided with a slotthat correspond to a screwdriver, hexagon wrench or similar tool.
 7. Theconnector according to claim 5, wherein said locking pin at leastpartially consists of a magnetic material.
 8. A connector comprising afirst locking device attached to a connector body, said first lockingdevice including a first end fixedly attached to said connector body anda second end extending a distance from said connector body, and saidfirst locking device is resilient such that said second end of saidfirst locking device can be moved to an inner position against saidconnector body for permitting said connector body to be engaged within afemale connector adapted to receive said connector body and such thatsaid second end must thereafter be deflected toward said connector bodyfor disconnection of said connector body from the female connector, anda second locking device attached to said connector body including alocking pin movable relative to said connector body and said second endof said first locking device, said second locking device of saidconnector body further including a holding device fixedly attached tosaid connector body, and wherein said locking pin can be displaced in aopening in said holding device such that said first locking device canbe selectively firmly locked in the outer position by displacement ofsaid locking pin of said second locking device to prevent movement ofsaid second end to inner position.